Man on a mission

For Rodney Tucker, joining the team at ALFA was a lot like coming home.

"My true passion is in AIDS work," said the 41-year-old executive director of AIDS Leadership Foothills-area Alliance (ALFA).

Tucker joined the 20-year-old nonprofit, United Way member agency in June, succeeding Jennifer Hart Dockey.

"ALFA is in an interesting place right now, what with changes in the way federal and state funds are being allocated," Tucker said.

"New funding guidelines are requiring some changes in the way we do business."

For one thing, ALFA will be doing more medical case management than it did in the past, Tucker said.

The organization currently provides medical case management, transportation and basic needs to more than 170 clients.

The organization also will strive even harder to get people tested, then get infected people into treatment and keep them on a treatment regimen.

ALFA already offers prevention education to more than 13,600 people and tests more than 500 people each year.

As of Oct. 31, it had tested more than 600 people this year.

While HIV infection is now a chronic disease and not a death sentence, getting diagnosed and into treatment as early as possible is crucial, Tucker said.

"Getting tested, knowing your HIV status is key," he said.

Most of ALFA's new clients have full-blown AIDS, which means that people aren't being diagnosed until they are quite sick, often hospitalized, Tucker said.

That needs to change, Tucker said.

ALFA offers free, confidential HIV testing daily at its offices on Fairgrove Church Road. The finger-prick tests yield results in about 10 minutes.

The organization also offers testing at such diverse places as college campuses, nightclubs, homeless shelters, free clinics and substance-abuse facilities. It has gone door-to-door in Burke County, and will be trying some other creative ways to get people tested, Tucker said.

The organization is also expanding its activities to raise funds for ALFA and awareness about HIV/AIDS.

Among new events is "Not Your Mama's Bingo," set to kick off Feb. 13 at the Hickory Jaycees Development Center. "Not Your Mama's Bingo" will incorporate bingo and campy floor shows.

On April 24, the first ALFA Hike For Hope will be held at the Catawba River Greenway in Morganton.

The event is designed to raise $25,000 for ALFA programs.

"Not Your Mama's Bingo" and Hike for Hope will join traditional ALFA events including a World AIDS Day observance Dec. 1 at Unifour Christian Fellowship Church in Newton; the annual Winter Gala, scheduled Dec. 6 at Youssef 242 in Hickory; Aroma of Art 2010, an exhibition and silent auction that will kick off Jan. 28 at Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse downtown; and Dining For Friends.

While some things are changing, others aren't, including ALFA's basic mission of enhancing the lives of people infected by HIV/AIDS as well as people at risk of infection, Tucker said.

With a budget of $749,000, ALFA is the only AIDS service organization serving Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Lincoln, Watauga and Wilkes counties. Client service fees comprise 45 percent of its income, with the remainder coming from grants (22 percent), individuals and fund-raising events (22 percent) and United Way (11 percent).

Tucker previously worked for several AIDS service organizations including the Regional HIV/AIDS Consortium and the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network.

He also held positions with United Way of Central Carolinas and the Corporation for National and Community Service, HUD, NAR.

"Working with AIDS organizations can become a drain on you, especially when clients pass away at a high rate like they did when I was in Charlotte," Tucker said.

"I took a break when I had the opportunity."

Still, the man who had attended seminary in order to become a missionary found himself eager to return to the AIDS struggle.

"I was thrilled, absolutely thrilled to get this opportunity," Tucker said.

Bill Morgan, president of ALFA's board of directors, said Tucker's professional experience with regional AIDS organizations equipped him well to take the helm at ALFA.

"The first thing most people notice about Rodney is the energy he brings to anything that excites him," Morgan said.

"He's passionate about the mission of ALFA.

"The board is unanimously pleased with his performance so far."